Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The Hidden Mist shinobi outside were unaware that Orochimaru and Ye Zi had already left the stalactite cave using their techniques. They continued wasting chakra, bombarding the mountain like fools with flashy explosions.

After leaving the cave, the two headed toward the coastline, where Ye Zi temporarily created a boat using Wood Release. They boarded the boat and set sail, leaving the Land of Water behind.

If their navigation was correct, their final destination would be the Land of Hot Water, a coastal nation bordering the Land of Fire.

Traveling by sea was always slower than by land. After a long journey, they finally landed on the shores of the Land of Hot Water.

Without saying much, they proceeded into the interior of the country.

The long and tedious journey had been uneventful, with little valuable information gained along the way.

After a day of combing through the Land of Hot Water, they encountered someone in a forest near a populated area, it was a person Ye Zi recognized.

He was tall, wielded a large sword, and had a shark-like face. It was Kisame Hoshigaki.

Kisame was visibly surprised to encounter Ye Zi and Orochimaru. He immediately drew his sword.

The encounter was entirely unexpected and illogical.

But here they were.

"Ye Zi," Kisame said without emotion, immediately calling out Ye Zi's name.

"A shinobi from the Mist Village?" Ye Zi vaguely remembered Kisame but didn't know his name.

During the battle to capture the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, this man had left a strong impression on Ye Zi. His swordsmanship and water-style techniques were impressive, and his chakra reserves far exceeded those of an average Jonin.

Kisame snorted coldly and said, "I'm no longer a shinobi of the Mist. I'm a rogue ninja now."

His current predicament, ironically, was tied to Ye Zi.

After returning to the village with crucial intel from that battle, Kisame had been accused of cowardice and locked up.

Angered by the unfair treatment, Kisame had broken out of prison, killing his guards and several Mist shinobi in the process. He had fled the village and been branded a rogue ninja.

Despite this, Kisame did not hold a grudge against Ye Zi. His downfall, in his eyes, was due to his own lack of ability.

"I see," Ye Zi said, gripping his sword. Kisame wasn't wearing a Mist Village forehead protector, but that didn't mean much.

"I have no reason to fight you," Kisame said calmly.

If he could avoid fighting Ye Zi, Kisame would. He had no confidence in defeating him.

Ye Zi nodded. He didn't sense any hostility from Kisame, and even if there was, he wasn't afraid.

Likewise, Ye Zi had no reason to fight. If Kisame had truly become a rogue ninja, Ye Zi considered the possibility of recruiting him into the Akatsuki.

As for verifying Kisame's claim, there were plenty of ways to confirm it later.

"Your name?" Ye Zi sheathed his sword.

Kisame was momentarily surprised to see Ye Zi put away his weapon. After a brief pause, he replied coolly, "Kisame Hoshigaki."

Orochimaru stood silently, observing the exchange.

"Your skills are impressive," Ye Zi said after a moment of silence. He never minced words when recruiting others.

Looking directly at Kisame, he said bluntly, "How about joining Akatsuki?"

"Not interested," Kisame replied without hesitation.

Ye Zi wasn't offended and asked casually, "Then what are you interested in?"

Hearing the question, a flicker of confusion appeared in Kisame's eyes.

What am I interested in?

He thought carefully but found no answer.

Ever since becoming a ninja, his life had revolved entirely around missions. He had dutifully carried out every task assigned to him by the village.

In his ten-year career as a ninja, he had no close friends and lived like a true shinobi—killing without hesitation, even his comrades, for the sake of the mission and the village.

So, what am I interested in?

His entire existence had been devoted to missions.

But Kisame was certain that missions weren't his true interest.

After a moment of silence, Kisame smirked self-deprecatingly and said, "If I have to name an interest, it would be killing."

In truth, it wasn't so much an interest as it was the only thing he knew how to do. Beyond killing, he had no idea what else to do with the rest of his life.

"Killing, huh…" Ye Zi calmly stared at Kisame and said softly, "Then join Akatsuki. It can fulfill all your needs."

Kisame sneered. "I can kill without joining Akatsuki."

"Mindless killing?" Ye Zi asked, his tone even.

Kisame frowned and didn't respond.

"If you join Akatsuki, you can kill with purpose, under the guise of missions. It would be targeted killing, not aimless slaughter," Ye Zi said, his gaze steady. "Perhaps this is a method more suited to you."

"Under the guise of missions…" Kisame's expression turned sardonic as he pondered the meaning of his existence in the time he had left.

As a shinobi, even in death, he would die carrying that identity.

What else could he do besides living for missions?

After a long silence, Kisame finally said calmly, "Fine. I'll join."

Hearing Kisame's agreement, Ye Zi smiled faintly. It was an unexpected gain.

Ye Zi acknowledged Kisame's strength and immense chakra reserves, which were just what Akatsuki's core members lacked.

After convincing Kisame to join, Ye Zi contacted Nagato and briefly explained the situation. He then instructed Kisame to head directly to the Hidden Rain Village. Kisame complied without hesitation, setting off immediately.

Previously, during a mission to retrieve the Mizukage, a Mist Village team had gone to the Land of Rain to cause trouble. Nagato had single-handedly annihilated them, leaving Kisame as the only survivor to return with information about Nagato's abilities.

At the time, Ye Zi had been watching from the shadows. He couldn't help but wonder how Kisame would react upon meeting Nagato again.

That battle had left a deep impression of Nagato's overwhelming power in Kisame's mind.

What the interaction between Kisame and Nagato would be like, Ye Zi had no way of knowing. He and Orochimaru continued wandering the Land of Hot Water.

They passed through plains, hot spring mountains, deep forests, and populated areas, finding nothing of value.

On this particular day, the weather was clear, and the breeze was gentle.

Approaching a populated area, they frequently came across footpaths carved out by people and expansive fields planted with various crops.

Ye Zi and Orochimaru walked along a narrow path. On their right was a lush forest; on their left stretched vast, fertile fields where many villagers were hard at work.

In the field closest to the path, a few middle-aged men worked under the scorching sun, swinging their hoes.

Upon noticing Ye Zi and Orochimaru, they stopped what they were doing and silently watched the pair.

The reason was simple: Ye Zi carried a long sword on his back.

The villagers' gazes were suspicious, but none dared approach or speak to the pair. They instinctively sensed that these two were not to be trifled with and feared inviting trouble.

Ye Zi and Orochimaru, feeling the villagers' stares, paid them no mind and continued walking.

After leaving the fields behind, they came to a crossroads. One path led to a broader road, while the other veered into the forest.

They chose the forest path.

The forest was teeming with life, filled with the sounds of birds and insects. It felt almost like a leisurely outing.

"This seems like a good stopping point," Orochimaru suddenly said.

They had traversed nearly the entire shinobi world by this point, gaining little of significance.

Ye Zi nodded silently.

The two walked through the forest until they reached the entrance of a cave. Both stopped in their tracks, visibly surprised.

"This is…?" They exchanged astonished looks.

From within the cave, they felt a surge of chakra.

What surprised them wasn't the chakra itself but the fact that its sensation was strikingly similar to the mysterious energy they had encountered at the ruins.

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Currently on Chapter 426 - Ye Zi's Will